Erin E Cejka

I am a graduate student at Tufts University in the Department of Education. My main academic interest is K-8 engineering education. I work at the Center for Engineering Educational Outreach where I do research with local teachers, work with elementary students, and play with LEGOs. I plan to continue for a Ph.D. in Engineering Education and would like to work in curriculum development for educational technologies.

Education __________________________________________________

2003-present Tufts University Medford, MA

Masters of Science Candidate in Math, Science, Technology and Engineering Education

• Concentration in Engineering Education
• Thesis Title: Inservice Teachers’ Approaches to Open-Ended Engineering Design Problems and the Engineering Design Process

1999-2003 Tufts University Medford, MA

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

• Magna Cum Laude, GPA 3.61
• Dean’s List each semester

Employment __________________________________________________

June 2003-present Center for Engineering Educational Outreach Tufts University

Graduate Research Assistant

• Conducting research regarding professional development in engineering education, specifically practicing teachers’ approaches to open-ended design problems
• Assisting with professional development programs for educators focused on K-12 engineering featuring ROBOLAB and LEGO technology
• Creating and maintaining a research and literature database
• Testing new versions of ROBOLAB software

Fall 2002 Department of Mechanical Engineering Tufts University

Fluid Mechanics Grader

• Provided student assistance and tutoring
• Graded tests, lab reports, and homework assignments

Summer 2001, 2002 Center for Engineering Educational Outreach Tufts University

Education and Technology Assistant

• Assisted with professional development workshops for educators featuring ROBOLAB and LEGO technology
• Assisted with the production of curricular materials for World Wide Web publication
• Developed content for help sections of ROBOLAB software

Publications _________________________________________________________________________

• Cejka, E. (2005). Inservice Teachers’ Approaches to Open-Ended Engineering Design Problems and the Engineering Design Process. Unpublished master’s thesis, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts. Manuscript in preparation.
• Cejka, E., Brizuela, B. & Rogers, C. (2005). Inservice teachers and the engineering design process. Manuscipt submitted for publication.
• Cejka, E., Pickering, M., Conroy, K., Moretti, L. & Portsmore, M. (2005). What do college engineering students learn in K-12 classrooms? : Understanding the development of citizenship & communication skills. Manuscript submitted for publication.
• Cejka, E., Rogers, C., & Portsmore, M. (2005). Kindergarten robotics: Using engineering to motivate math, science, and engineering literacy in elementary school. Manuscript submitted for publication.
• Portsmore, M. & Cejka, E. (2005). Investigating the Impact of a robotic design course on first year engineering students’ attitudes, confidence, understanding and perceptions. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Organizations and Activities ________________________________________________________

• S.T.O.M.P. – Outreach program placing engineering students in K-12 classrooms

o Executive Board, 2003 - present

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Tufts University Student Chapter

o Publicity Director, 2002-2003

• Society of Women Engineers, Tufts University Student Chapter

o Girl Scout Outreach Volunteer- Mentor for FIRST LEGO League team, Fall 2001

• National Society of Collegiate Scholars, member 2000 – present
• Golden Key Honor Society, member 2002 – present

Computer Skills __________________________________________________

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ROBOLAB, EndNote, AutoCAD, Atlas, SPSS
• Familiarity with Dreamweaver, LabVIEW, C++, DataDesk, MathCAD, Matlab, Visual BASIC, iMovie, Final Cut